Migration within the EU
The Uk received 600,000 Eastern European migrants between 2004 and 2006. The largest group are polish (447,000). Most have found jobs with much better pay than they would receive at home. Poles in the Uk earn on average five times as much as they would at home, while the UK cost of living is only twice that in Poland. Most immigrants pay tax, which contributes to the UK's economy. Polish people use UK health and education services, which add to the government's costs.
Overall, the UK economy has benefitted from the influx of migrants from Poland. More recently, as opportunities in Poland increase, many workers are returing home from the UK and thus their international migration has been temporary.
An interesting video clip discussing what migration is like for Polish people - http://www.bbc.co.uk/white/poles.shtml
The slideshow below dicusses some of the main points of migration as well as looking at a key case study of Mexico to USA migration.
Useful article about migration to USA from Mexico - http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/education/geog/population/case_mexico.shtml
Another article about what happens to Mexicans in America - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4248232.stm
Migration within the EU
The Uk received 600,000 Eastern European migrants between 2004 and 2006. The largest group are polish (447,000). Most have found jobs with much better pay than they would receive at home. Poles in the Uk earn on average five times as much as they would at home, while the UK cost of living is only twice that in Poland. Most immigrants pay tax, which contributes to the UK's economy. Polish people use UK health and education services, which add to the government's costs.
Overall, the UK economy has benefitted from the influx of migrants from Poland. More recently, as opportunities in Poland increase, many workers are returing home from the UK and thus their international migration has been temporary.
An interesting video clip discussing what migration is like for Polish people - http://www.bbc.co.uk/white/poles.shtml